palpitate

views updated May 18 2018

pal·pi·tate / ˈpalpiˌtāt/ • v. [intr.] [often as adj.] (palpitating) (of the heart) beat rapidly, strongly, or irregularly: it wakened him in the night with a palpitating heart. ∎ shake; tremble: she was palpitating with terror.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

palpitation

views updated May 17 2018

pal·pi·ta·tion / ˌpalpiˈtāshən/ • n. (usu. palpitations) a noticeably rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat due to agitation, exertion, or illness.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

palpitate

views updated May 09 2018

palpitate XVII. f. pp. stem of L. palpitāre, frequent. of palpāre stroke; see PALPABLE, -ATE3.
So palpitation XVII. — L.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

palpitation

views updated May 09 2018

palpitation (pal-pi-tay-shŏn) n. an awareness of the heartbeat. This is normal with fear, emotion, or exertion. It may also be a symptom of neurosis, arrhythmias, heart disease, and overactivity of the circulation.

A Dictionary of Nursing